Does My Horse Need A Stable Rug?

If your horse is stabled over the winter, you have probably considered which type of rug is most appropriate for them to wear.

Whether you decide to rug your horse or not will depend on a variety of factors including age, weight, breed, condition, if they are clipped, and of course their health.

Ultimately it is up to us to make a decision about what is best for our horse as they are all individuals with different needs. What is most suitable for your horse may not be best for another horse on the yard.

A horse that is stabled will not be able to move around as much to keep warm compared to a horse that is turned out. However, they will benefit having shelter from the wind and rain.

If you’ve decided to rug your horse, you may be tempted to leave them in their turnout rug overnight. This can be a time saver for early mornings and reduces the number of rugs you need.

However, there are a few factors to consider. In this blog, we are going to discuss the benefits of using a stable rug.

Winter in the UK is notoriously wet. You will have more than a few days when you bring your horse in with a soaking wet rug. Fortunately, he should still be dry thanks to waterproof lining in the rug. Unfortunately, we don’t all have a solarium to dry our rugs in! You might think the next best thing is to leave your horse rugged and let his body heat dry the rug off. Doing so will hinder your horse’s ability to keep himself warm as his body heat will be drying the rug instead. Imagine coming in from a very wet walk and having to sit in your wet rain coat all night with no heating on. You may find an increase in your hay bill too as your horse eats more to keep up with the extra body heat required.

The best thing to do when your horse comes in on a wet day is to change him into a dry stable rug. Whilst most of us can hang turnout rugs up to air dry overnight, it’s a good idea to have a spare turnout rug just in case it hasn’t fully dried by the morning.

Another benefit of using a stable rug at night is the changing of rugs helps to spot deteriorations in your horse’s body condition. Some rugs can cause rubs, sore, cuts, or general uncomfortable areas for your horse, particularly if they are not well fitted. If you are not changing your horse’s rug regularly you will be less likely to spot these issues early on. With any rubs, the sooner you can spot them and action, the easier they are to manage and recover from. Changing into a stable rug every evening provides the opportunity for a quick groom and to give your horse’s body a check over.

We all know horses aren’t always the cleanest. Unwanted stable stains can ruin your horse’s coat. Using a stable rug will help to prevent this. Stable rugs are not waterproof and as such can easily be washed with non-biological detergent in the washing machine when they are smelly or dirty. If you are using a turnout rug in the stable, you will have to reproof the rug after every wash to ensure the rug retains its waterproof quality. This is more expensive and time consuming than using a stable rug.

Now you know the benefits of using a stable rug, it’s time to choose the correct one for your horse. We have rounded up three of our favourite stable rugs for 2024 for you to choose from...

If you’re looking for a high-quality stable rug at an affordable price, the WeatherBeeta ComfiTec 210D Channel Quilt Combo Neck stable rug ticks all of the boxes. It features a 210-denier outer, a lightweight but warm 110g polyfill insulation, and a channel quilt design which keeps the polyfill insulation in place for optimum coverage. Complete with adjustable twin front buckle closure, cross surcingles, and a combo neck for ear to tail comfort.

The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec PP Channel Quilt II Detach-A-Neck stable rug is a good choice if you’re looking to spend a bit more money for a more versatile style. It features a tough 600-denier quilted outer and a cosy 220g of polyfill insulation. Compatible with the WeatherBeeta liner rugs for ultimate versatility, the detachable neck allows you to add and remove warmth based on the weather and your horses requirements.

If you’re looking for the ultimate luxury comfort, say hello to the WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Deluxe Diamond Quilt Standard Neck stable rug. This rug has a 1200-denier diamond quilted outer with a soft teddy fleece lining. Filled with 250g polyfill and topped with a cozi collar, this rug will give your horse a taste of luxury and the envy of the yard. This rug also features a fleece wither relief pad for comfort, twin quick clip front closures, twin cross surcingles, and a tail cord.